Birding tours open

The National Trust for the Cayman Islands has started offering a Focus on Birding tour of the Mastic trail.

The tour, which takes place on Tuesday mornings, emphasises the birds that can be encountered on the trail.

The Focus on Birding tour allows novice and experienced birders to spot and photograph many of the bird species which call Grand Cayman home. With reference books and checklists provided, the tour is an enjoyable learning experience.

“Birds are the most abundant and active animals that we encounter. The trail is home to all 13 endemic sub-species of birds found on Grand Cayman and on a typical tour we see upwards of nine,” said Stuart Mailer, field officer with the trust and Mastic trail tour guide.

“These birds include the raucous and colourful Cayman parrot, the Caribbean dove, the stunningly beautiful western spindalis and the bananaquit. Two endemic woodpeckers, the West Indian and the northern flicker frequently provide exceedingly close and extended views.

“For visiting birders, a sighting of our bright yellow vitelline warbler is often a highlight of their tour.”

The Mastic trail provides a rare glimpse into the unspoilt interior of Grand Cayman. The trail boasts an abundance of native flora, many of which have medicinal or historical uses and fauna such as ground-dwelling wasps, soldier (hermit) crabs, snakes, lizards, tree frogs, agouti and birds.

The Focus on Birding tour takes place on Tuesday mornings at 8.30am. The cost for members is CI$22 and CI$28 for non-members. Tours last approximately 3.5 hours.

For more information or reservations contact Stuart Mailer at 749-1124 or email[email protected]

The West Indian wood-pecker is one of the many endemic sub-species that frequent the trail.

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